Token



1936- V R. B. WIGGINS 5 TOKEN Filed .Oct 25, 1935 INVENTOR.

H15 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOKEN Richard B. Wiggins, San Antonio, Tex. Application October 25, 1935, Serial No. 46,793

3 Claims.

This invention relates to tokens.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved token which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efiicient in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved token or check for use in conjunction with coin-controlled amusement or article vending machines.

A further object of the present invention is m to provide a new and improved token or check for use in conjunction with the token or check separating device shown and described in the applicants copending application, Serial No. 46,794,

filed October 25, 1935.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by ref- 20 erence to the accompanying drawing showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a preferred form of the new token;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, on line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the new token;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of another modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 in Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 in Fig. 7.

A preferred form of the new token is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, is therein generally indicated at I0, and comprises a body ll of metal or other suitable material which includes an annular rim or wall l2 and a, plurality of 40 spokes l3 which extend radially from a central solid portion or hub I4.

In the use of the token ill, in conjunction with coin-controlled amusement or vending machines, an element of the token-separating device will,

45 when operated, engage the solid center portion or hub M of the token and the operating mechanism associated with the device will thereby be permitted to move into effective position, whereas when a token is used which has a cut-out portion 5 or hollow center, a part of the token-separating mechanism will be projected through the said open center of the token and the operating mechanism associated with the token separator will be prevented from moving into effective position.

55 In this manner fraudulent operation of the device,

with which the new token separator is used is prevented, and the new token functions the same as a token having a solid center, and, at the same time is much cheaper to manufacture from the standpoint of material used.

A modified form of the new token is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is therein generally indicated at l5, and comprises a body I6, which may be made of metal or any other suitable material. This body l6 includes an annular wall or rim IT and integral with this rim I? is a plurality of spokes 18 which radiate from a central solid portion or hub I 9, this form of token being substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 except for the number of spokes embodied therein and for the cross-sectional shape of the spokes it which are circular in cross section (Figs. 5 and 6) rather than being formed substantially diamondshaped in cross section as in the form of token shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Another modified form of the new token is shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, is therein generally indicated at 20, and comprises a body 2| of metal or other suitable material. This body 2| includes an annular wall or rim 2| and integral with this wall or rim 2! is a pair of spokes 24 which radiate from a solid hub or center 23. These spokes 24 are substantially rectangular in cross section, rather than having the form of the spokes l3 and I8.

In the token selector mechanism of the type referred to in my companion application, the selector finger usually has a rounded end which lies slightly eccentric of the path or locus of the center or axis of the token as the latter is urged past the selector finger.

By the provision of a maximum perforate area in the token body, while at the same time leaving a substantial area of material in the hub portion, and by surfacing the spokes as above set forth, I accomplish, among others, two important results: the present token is practically certain to be engaged by the selector because the gliding surfaces therein, encountering even to a slight degree the rounded end portion of the selector finger, are cammed or slipped into full token engaging position. Moreover, the maximum perforate area provided by the peculiarity of my novel structure assures that the maximum engageable perforate area of the token will be exposed for confrontation to the selector finger or mechanism, and especially if the token is rolled or pushed past such mechanism and the engageable area of the token, relative to the hub, varies from maximum to minimum and back 55 again toward maximum as the center of the token passes the selector finger, should the token travel that far without being selected.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

I. A token or check for use in check-controlled vending machines, or the like, comprising a substantially annular body including an annular wall or rim, a solid central portion within said rim, and spokes of reduced cross section relative to said central portion for transient engagement with a token selector finger in said vending machine extending radially from said solid central portion to said rim.

2. A token or check for use in connection with check-controlled vending machines or the like, comprising a substantially annular body including a rim, a solid central portion within said rim, and spokes of curvilinear cross section extending radially from said central portion to said rim.

3. A token or check for use in check-controlled vending machines and the like, comprising a substantially annular body including an annular wall or rim, a solid central portion within said rim, and spokes having beveled edge portions and extending radially from said solid central portion to said rim, said solid central portion being adapted to be engaged by a token-ejecting element when in use.

RICHARD B. WIGGINS. 

